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An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care
Social care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and strengthening communities, and this certificate explores ideas about what social care and social work are. Using case studies involving children, older adults, mental health communities and individuals with disabilities, you’ll apply your learning to practice contexts. You'll also build key skills in digital literacy, effective communication and reflective writing, which will support your understanding and development in the field. Whether starting your career or enhancing existing skills, this qualification equips you with the knowledge and practical abilities needed for meaningful and impactful work in social care.
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this Certificate of Higher Education is also equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
This social care practice certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
You’ll investigate the organisation of social care in the UK and the different components of good social care and social work practice through real-life practice scenarios. Key concepts around communication will open up your thinking about how professional practice is informed and underpinned by theory, and you’ll make connections between your studies and your own personal and professional experience.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Foundations for social care and social work practice (K123)60Feb
K102 has two presentations per year, in October and February. Students who wish to complete their qualification in the shortest possible timeframe will need to choose the October start.

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by personal tutors, flexible learning materials, community forums, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care Practice (Wales) upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
Your online study hub is your central place for learning. It includes weekly study planners, course materials, case studies, and interactive activities. You’ll also use discussion forums to connect with other students and share experiences.
You’ll learn through enquiry-based and reflective approaches, using real-world case studies that explore work with children, older adults, and people in a variety of social care settings. The programme helps you develop professional skills in digital literacy, communication, and reflective practice, so that you can apply what you learn directly in your workplace.
Your academic tutor will support you with online tutorials, assignment feedback, and one-to-one guidance. You’ll also take part in collaborative activities and forums that encourage discussion and reflection with your peers.
One of your core modules includes a verified practice experience. You’ll complete a 20-day period in a social care setting in Wales, supported by your employer, and record your experience in a practice e-portfolio. This ensures you can apply your learning to real-life contexts and reflect on your professional development.
Assessment combines academic and practice elements. You’ll complete tutor-marked assignments, interactive activities, and end-of-module tasks, as well as building an e-portfolio to evidence your verified practice. This blend of assessment shows both your academic progress and your professional growth.
You’ll be supported with a wide range of learning resources, available online and in print, alongside regular contact with your tutor. Dedicated student support teams, the OU library, IT support services, and the wider OU community are also there to help you succeed throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements to study this certificate, but you must have current experience working or volunteering in a social care setting.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

2 years
£4,088*
A certificate is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 2 years.
£8,176*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.
Find out about all our available funding options below.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
You will need to speak to the Wales Faculty to check that your experience is suitable. You can do this by contacting [email protected].
In addition to specific understanding and skills around health and social care, this certificate will build your confidence by steadily developing and enhancing your study skills – including digital and information literacy and reflective writing – and a range of essential employability skills in areas such as communication, IT, problem-solving, planning and organisation.
This certificate is relevant to you if you work in social care and want to enhance your current knowledge and skills and is recommended by Social Care Wales as the qualification for the Social Services Practitioner role. The modules that make up this certificate also form the first year of the BA (Honours) Social Work (Wales) (Q42), so if you are considering a career in social work, it provides an excellent introduction.
Please note that this certificate course does not give automatic entry to the social work degree programme (which requires you to attend an interview and has specific entry requirements, including meeting minimum academic requirements in Welsh or English). However, if you do subsequently gain entry to the programme, you'll be able to count your certificate study towards your degree.
Social Care Wales (SCW) recognises the CertHE in Social Care Practice (Wales) as meeting the needs of social care workers whose roles include providing information on accessing services and contributing to assessment, planning, delivery and review. It is recognised by SCW as their Social Services Practitioner (SSP) award.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, a website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that most careers will require further study, training and/or work experience):
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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